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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, on exercising power under the Societies Ordinance at a media session at Central Government Offices, Tamar, today (September 24):

Reporter: I’ve got three questions. First, can the National Party (Hong Kong National Party) plan all those political slogans, say chants, to really be counted as something that will affect national security or the rights and freedom of others, and warrant such a ban? The second question – what if the members of the National Party join other groups, or they start another group? Will they still be considered as acting illegally? Third question – would the Government review if other pro-independence groups should be banned also under this Ordinance?

Secretary for Security: I have explained in detail the considerations that I included in my decision. I have explained that the Hong Kong National Party has a very clear agenda to achieve its goal of Hong Kong being made an independent republic. I have also explained that over two years, it has plans, it has executed actions to implement the plans. I have given examples of how the Hong Kong National Party tried to achieve this.

     Let me repeat some of the examples. First, the Hong Kong National Party tried to register its party as a company. Its convenor also tried to appear as a candidate for an election, so as to obtain more resources, allow the Hong Kong National Party an opportunity to be more noticed, so as to achieve its goal. It has various plans to, for example, recruit members, go into schools to infiltrate, and advertise what he wants to achieve. And he also staged street booths to let people know and support its goal. What the agenda of the Hong Kong National Party aims to, is in strict contravention of the Basic Law, and also is against national security. In the course of achieving its aims, the Hong Kong National Party also spreads hatred and discrimination against Mainlanders in Hong Kong. It has also made it very clear that it would make use of all means to achieve its goal, and this includes the option of using force. It has also used the term “armed revolution” while its convenor has on some occasions indicated that they would use non-violent means to achieve the goal. I cannot ignore the fact that the Hong Kong National Party has repeatedly advocated that it would use all methods, including the use of force, and also encouraging its supporters to use force.

     Taking the whole in totality, in the interests of national security, public safety, public order, and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others, I made the decision that I exercise the power that is given to the Secretary for Security to issue an order to prohibit its operation or continued operation.

     In regard to your question about some of the members using different ways to appear to further its goal, we have to look at the provisions under the Societies Ordinance. I explained that Section 19 to Section 23 clearly explain what are the acts that members of an unlawful society will be governed by the law. So depending on how these people act, we have to look at the action they have done in the circumstances of the actual case, whether it constitutes an offence under the law.

Reporter: Would the Government review if other pro-independence groups should also be banned under the Ordinance?
 
Secretary for Security: Any person or any organisation, if their acts are governed by the laws of Hong Kong, then they will have to take responsibilities for their acts. Law enforcement agencies will act in accordance with the law to deal with the situations.
 
Reporter: You said previously Vice-Premier of China, Han Zheng, has spoken to you about this ban. In your consideration of making this decision, have you taken into account his words or words of any other Mainland Chinese officials?
 
Secretary for Security: I considered the case of the Hong Kong National Party based on the Assistant Societies Officer’s recommendation, the representation made by the Hong Kong National Party or its representatives. I considered all the laws that are applicable to Hong Kong. I made the decision myself. Any other things are not taken into consideration, such as what you have described.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)  read more

     A new round of applications to operate photography service stalls at the Piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) is now open. The stalls provide live photography services for tourists and the general public. Professional… read more

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 1.9 kilograms of suspected Totoaba macdonaldi fish maws with an estimated market value of about $300,000 at Hong Kong International Airport on September 22.      C… read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) reminded today (September 24) that the department will extend opening hours and make special arrangements at some of its venues for the public to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

     In the wake of the adverse impact brought about by Tropical Cyclone Mangkhut, which has led to various levels of damage to facilities and trees at many LCSD venues, the department has made an assessment and anticipated that the clearance work at these venues would not be completed before the Mid-Autumn Festival. They include all gazetted public beaches (including ancillary barbecue facilities) and a number of land-based venues in various districts, which are not suitable for activities relating to the Mid-Autumn Festival (September 24 and 25). The list of such venues can be found in the Annex.

     As the LCSD is making great efforts to conduct clearance and repair work at the venues affected under its management, the department urges the public not to go near or enter the cordoned-off areas in these venues for the sake of safety.

     Details of extended opening hours and special arrangements for selected venues during the Mid-Autumn Festival period are as follows:

September 24 and 25 (Mid-Autumn Festival and the day following Mid-Autumn Festival)
————————————————————————————————–

Jordan Valley Park (Kwun Tong District)
September 24: 5am to 1am
                      (extended by two hours)
September 25: 5am to 11.30pm
                      (extended by half an hour)

September 24 (Mid-Autumn Festival)
—————————————–

Hong Kong Park (Central and Western District)
– Outdoor facilities
6am to midnight (extended by one hour)

Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (Central and Western District)
– Fountain Terrace Garden
5am to midnight (extended by two hours)

Aldrich Bay Park (Eastern District)
– Water Feature and Fisherman Hut Pavilion
6.30am to 11.30pm (extended by one hour)

Ngau Chi Wan Park (Wong Tai Sin District)
6.30am to midnight (extended by one hour)

Tsing Yi Park (Kwai Tsing District)
5.30am to midnight (extended by half an hour)

Tsing Yi Northeast Park (Kwai Tsing District)
5.30am to midnight (extended by half an hour)

North District Park (North District)
6am to midnight (extended by one hour)

Hong Kong Velodrome Park (Sai Kung District)
– Artificial Lake
6.30am to 1am (extended by two hours)
 
September 25 (the day following Mid-Autumn Festival)
————————————————————-
 
Central Lawn of Victoria Park (Wan Chai District)
Temporarily closed from 2am to 5am for cleaning operations
 
     The LCSD appeals to the public to keep places clean and tidy, take away their belongings while leaving the venues and put trash into litter box, and not to burn wax or fly sky lanterns when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.

     “To provide a better environment for members of the public to enjoy the festive occasion, we appeal to them not to burn or melt wax. They should not sprinkle or pour liquids onto hot wax. Metal cans or non-flammable containers should be used to collect melted wax for easy disposal into litter bins after the containers cool down,” a spokesman for the LCSD said.

     “Moreover, members of the public should not throw glow sticks or other objects onto trees, as doing so may cause damage to the trees and affect the cleanliness of venues. Furthermore, they should not fly sky lanterns as it might cause injuries or damage to property.”

     Noting that a new set of television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest has been launched to make similar public appeals, the spokesman said patrols will also be stepped up at the department’s venues today. About 1 000 staff will be deployed to take enforcement action against littering, wax burning, throwing objects onto trees and flying sky lanterns on these two nights. Littering offenders will be issued with a fixed penalty notice with a fine of $1,500, while those who burn wax, throw objects onto trees or fly sky lanterns might be prosecuted.

     According to the Pleasure Grounds Regulation, no person shall, in any pleasure ground, melt or burn any wax; sprinkle or pour any liquid onto any hot wax; damage any part of any tree, shrub or plant; or fly kites, model aircraft, balloons, sky lanterns or other devices. According to the Bathing Beaches Regulation, no person shall, on any bathing beach, do any act which is likely to endanger or obstruct any other person using the beach, or damage, deface or pollute the beach or anything situated thereon. Any person who is convicted is liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and 14 days’ imprisonment.

     Members of the public may call the LCSD’s hotline on 2414 5555 to report any wax burning or flying sky lantern cases, or other irregularities found at LCSD venues. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      Hong Kong Monetary Authority Exchange Fund Bills Tender Results   Tender date : September 24, 2018 Paper on offer :… read more